For the month of October I gave myself the challenge to start making my way through my book shelf by finishing 3 books that are there. I am so glad to report that I got through almost 4 books (only completed 3).

The  books that I read this month are Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and Night.

This personal challenge was made possible by Thanksgiving long weekend. I spent the whole Monday holed up in my room and read the new Harry Potter book cover to cover. I was 1/3 of the way through the month and had one book finished off and two well under way.

Of the four, I was most excited to get to Harry Potter. I had preordered it back when it was first announced but waited to read it when I would have undisrupted time to do so. It was nostalgic, thrilling and satisfying for my imagination to enter the wizarding world again and to revisit such beloved characters.

Miss Peregrine’s was an interesting read as well. A young man finding his place in the world, combined with a world of fantasy and a touch of romance. I may need to go see the movie now to see how they brought the characters to life.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up was definitely the most practical read of the four. I always want to downsize my possessions and have struggled at times to maintain a borderline minimalistic lifestyle. In reading this book I have certainly gained some tools but don’t think that I am prepared to do a shed of the bulk of my possessions all in one day. It will certainly come in handy though the next time that I go to clean out my closet or move.

Night by Elie Wiesel is a shorter but emotionally difficult read. It tells Elie’s story during World War Two as a young Jewish European forced into a concentration camp along with his family. I read it back in high school but have been wanting to read it again for quite some time. Personally, I think it is important to be informed about our global history to help remind us the importance of being kind to each other and accepting each other’s differences. There are countless lives that have been lost over unnecessary hatred.

Although I shouldn’t have the same goal for November, especially having successful completed October, I do hope that I will continue to find the time to read through the collection that I have. The three books that I finished are now in the hands of others instead of on my shelf.

I am certain that there will be new books that come out that I will want to read too… as long as I am actually reading them and not just collecting them then my shelf will be in good circulation.